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Iowa Tax on Gambling Winnings

Gambling winnings are fully taxable in Iowa even if the winner is not an Iowa resident. The winnings are reported on an IA 1040 long form.

Residents or Part-year Residents of Iowa

Winnings from all types of gambling, including charitable gambling, casinos, bingo, raffles, state lotteries, and dog and horse track betting, must be reported as "Other Income" on line 14 on the IA 1040.

If you itemize, you may claim gambling losses as a miscellaneous deduction on Iowa Schedule A. However, this deduction cannot be more than your winnings. For example, if your gambling winnings for the year are $1,000, your deduction for gambling losses cannot exceed $1,000.

Taxpayers who claim the standard deduction on the Iowa return cannot deduct their gambling losses, although they must still report gambling winnings.

Nonresidents of Iowa - Filing Requirements

Nonresidents are required to file an Iowa return if Iowa-source income, including gambling winnings, is $1,000 or more and gross income (from all sources, not just Iowa) is more than $9,000 if single or $13,500 for married filers.

If 65 or older on December 31 of the tax year - filing status single

Tax year 2007 and 2008, net income of more than $18,000Tax year 2009 and subsequent years, net income of more than $24,000

If 65 or older on December 31 of the tax year - filing status other than single

Tax year 2007 and 2008, net income of more than $24,000Tax year 2009 and subsequent years, net income of more than $32,000

Complete the IA 1040, showing income from all sources similar to the federal return. Show gambling winnings as “Other Income” on line 14.

Take eligible gambling losses on Iowa Schedule A in the same manner as explained above for residents or part-year residents.

Complete the IA 1040 return through line 50 (tax years 2007-2012).

Complete the IA 1040 return through line 47 (beginning with tax year 2013).

Then complete the Schedule IA 126 showing only the Iowa income amount(s). Determine your nonresident credit on the IA 126 based upon the percentage of Iowa income to total income. Take this credit on line 51 (tax years 2007-2012) or line 48 (beginning with tax year 2013) and complete the remainder of the IA 1040. Please attach a copy of your federal return.

Why didn’t I receive all of my winnings?

A portion of your winnings may have been withheld for taxes. According to state and federal laws, certain winnings are subject to withholding at a 5% rate for state income tax purposes and are subject to withholding at a 25% rate for federal income tax purposes.

The withholding of state income tax from your winnings will not necessarily satisfy your Iowa tax responsibilities. Only by completing the IA 1040 can the correct amount of Iowa tax be determined.

You may owe more state income tax than was withheld, depending on different variables, such as your total Iowa income or your total income from all sources.

If the amount withheld exceeds the Iowa tax calculated on form IA 1040, you will be eligible for a refund of that portion of the tax withheld.

NOTE: Nonresidents are not exempt from Iowa tax or Iowa withholding and usually will not receive a full refund of the Iowa tax withheld.